2019 Kia Optima Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 9%of 212 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the brakes of the 2019 Kia Optima, 9% of the 212 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving up a hill and as I reached the top of the incline, my car stopped accelerating. I then attempted to use my brakes and I barely tapped them, but they reacted as if I slammed on my breaks. I took my foot off of the brakes and I began rolling backwards even though my car was still in drive. My brakes were then locked, I put my car in park and then turned off & then back on my car without removing the key. I then put my car back into drive, however, my gas pedal was still not working. …”
NHTSA complaint #11414358, filed 2021-04, 20,000 miles“When my phone is plugged into the charger, my screen will go black all of a sudden, and I have to turn the car off and unplug my phone and turn the car back on for the screen to come back on. Also, there have been several occasions where my brakes lock up on me, and I almost hit the person in front of me. Especially in the rain, and I have even had to swerve off the road to avoid a collision. It happens when I am in motion driving and go to stop. The radio screen though has turned off on me whether I am driving or in park.”
NHTSA complaint #11310756, filed 2020-02, 9,000 miles“The brakes did not engage when applied. The road was dry. Speed was 30 MPH or less when I attempted to stop at a light. There were no cars ahead of me, and I had plenty of time and room for a regular steady deceleration. The brakes did not engage. Just before I crossed into the crosswalk the car began to buck and the brake pedal forcibly kicked back exactly four times, and the car finally came to a stop. This happened on a state highway that also serves as a main street running through downtown. I was traveling on a straight section of road. I had the car towed to the dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #11398991, filed 2021-03, 17,325 miles“Lights appeared on the dash and the vehicle locked and would not drive. This happened as I was actively driving. I had the vehicle towed and was told by the Kia dealership that it was my abs/hecu. Before this happened, there was no warning lamps or messages. The car was driving normally.”
NHTSA complaint #11655299, filed 2025-04“On October 11,2022 I was involved in a vehicle collision that resulted in damages to the front of my vehicle and the rear of another. My two children and I suffered injuries that we were not able to recover fully from. The driver of the other vehicle was uninsured and has not been accessible!”
NHTSA complaint #11515444, filed 2023-04Related service bulletins
- 10179255Aug 25, 2020PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess…
- 10179256Aug 7, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IBAU SYSTEM REPAIR FOR NOISE AND AIR BLEEDING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 5% |
| 2019 | 19 | 9% |
| 2018 | 17 | 7% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 24 | 3% |
| 2015 | 90 | 9% |
| 2014 | 42 | 7% |
| 2013 | 114 | 8% |
| 2012 | 88 | 10% |
| 2011 | 47 | 8% |
| 2010 | 4 | 5% |
| 2009 | 21 | 18% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 3% |
| 2002 | 12 | 11% |
| 2001 | 14 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2019 Kia Optima
92 complaintsOther or unknown
43 complaintsForward collision avoidance
36 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology